Shaka Smart to work with CBS during NCAA tournament

John Supinie

Wednesday

Mar 21, 2012 at 12:01 AMMar 21, 2012 at 9:17 PM

Shaka Smart made plans for the next few days. The VCU coach, who has been courted by Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas, will work in the TV studio with CBS and Turner Sports during coverage of the NCAA tournament.

CHAMPAIGN -- Shaka Smart made plans for the next few days. The VCU coach, who has been courted by Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas, will work in the TV studio with CBS and Turner Sports during coverage of the NCAA tournament.

Smart's Rams were bounced from the NCAA tournament in the round of 32 Saturday, and he will now join CBS and Turner Sports to appear in the networks' studio in Atlanta for the regional semifinals and finals Thursday through Saturday. Smart will team up with host Ernie Johnson and analysts Steve Smith and Seth Davis.

A native of Wisconsin and a former Clemson and Florida assistant, Smart is apparently the top choice for Thomas. Smart led VCU from the First Four to the Final Four last season, needing five games to reach the national semifinals.

Meanwhile, Kansas State coach Frank Martin will serve as a guest analyst in the New York studio, joining host Greg Gumbel and analysts Charles Barkley, Greg Anthony and Kenny Smith for broadcasts Saturday and Sunday.

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @JohnSupinie.

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